Correlation between Trans-Stenotic Blood Flow Velocity Differences and the Cerebral Venous Pressure Gradient in Transverse Sinus Stenosis: A Prospective 4-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The relationship between trans-stenotic blood flow velocity differences and the cerebral venous pressure gradient (CVPG) in transverse sinus (TS) stenosis (TSS) has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hemodynamic manifestations of TSS and the relationship between trans-stenotic blood flow velocity differences and the CVPG. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) or pulsatile tinnitus (PT) and TSS who had undergone diagnostic venography using venous manometry were included in the patient group. Thirty-three volunteers with no stenosis and symptoms were included in the control group. All the 2 groups underwent prospective venous sinus 4-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The average velocity (Vavg) difference and maximum velocity (Vmax) difference between downstream and upstream of the TS in 2 groups were measured and compared. Correlations between the CVPG and trans-stenotic Vavg difference/Vmax difference/index of transverse sinus stenosis (ITSS) were assessed in the patient group. RESULTS: The differences in Vavg difference and Vmax difference between the patient and control groups showed a statistical significance (P